Spring clip for adjusting wrench screws



Oct. 4, 1949. A; M. MASELTER 2,483,917

SPRING CLIP FOR ADJUSTING WRENCH SCREWS Filed Oct. :50, 1946 INVENTOR. 1400/5 Nasame.

ATTCI RN EYS Patented Oct. 4, 1949 SPRING CLIP FOR ADJUSTING WRENCH SCREW Alois M. Maselter, Rockville, Minn. Application October 30, 1946, Serial No. 706,559

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to improvements in wrenches, and more particularly to the provision of means to maintain the adjustment of wrenches.

It has been the experience of workers using adjustable wrenches that it has been necessary to frequently readjust the wrench when working as the adjusting nut or worm turns during the work and throws the wrench out of adjustment.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to provide a device to prevent the adjusting nut from turning during the work to throw the wrench out of adjustment.

A further object is the provision of a spring clip which can be readily applied to any adjustable wrench to prevent the wrench from getting out of adjustment during the work.

A further object is to provide a spring attachment to prevent the rotation of an adjusting nut of a wrench, which attachment can be readily released when it is necessary to adjust the nut.

These and other objects are attained by the novel construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and illustrated by the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof, and

in which:

Fig. 1 is a side view of one form of adjustable wrench having applied thereto a device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a spring clip embodying the invention.

Fig. 4 is a side view of the clip.

Fig. 5 is a side view of another form of Wrench having the device applied thereto.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Referring to the drawings, in Fig. 1 is shown a well known type of wrench having a stationary jaw l and a jaw 2 which moves relative to the jaw by rotating a knurled nut or worm 3. This type of wrench, as is the case with other types, will get out of adjustment during the performance of work, as the nut 3 will turn, and it is necessary to frequently make a readjustment.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a spring clip as shown in Fig. 3. This clip comprises a bowed body portion 4 which is bent to form two loops 5 and 6, which have free ends I and 8 on the other side of the body 4.

In applying the device, the nut 3 is removed and the spring clip is inserted in the small opening as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, and the nut then replaced. The free ends of the clip, which are slightly bent outwardly, now grip the nut firmly and prevent rotation of the nut. The sides of clip are cut-away as shown at 9 so that adjustments of the wrench by the nut will have no interference. When it is necessary to adjust the wrench, the loops 5 and 5 are pressed towards each other to release the pressure of the ends 1 and B on the nut.

In Figs. 5 and 6 is shown a different type of wrench With the spring clip applied thereto, the operation of the clip being the same as described above.

The spring clip can be easily attached to a wrench without alterations, and when attached it need not be removed to make adjustments of the wrench. The device is simple and has no parts to get out of order. The clip is preferably of flat spring metal.

The above description is to be regarded as illustrative and not limitative of the invention of which modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claim.

The invention having been described, what is claimed is:

In combination with a wrench having an adjusting nut and a recess to receive the adjusting nut, a spring clip made of fiat spring material and having a bowed mid portion receivable in the recess with the bight of the bowed portion of the clip fitting over a portion of the wrench, the bowed portion terminating in reversely bent spring arms overlying the bowed portion, said arms engaging the nut to prevent rotation thereof, the free ends of said spring arms being bent outwardly to conform to the contour of said nut with the arms and the body portion forming opposed loops which are adapted to be pressed toward each other to release the pressure of the arms on the nut, said arms having one corner cut away to enable free access to the nut when it is necessary to make an adjustment.

ALOIS M. MASELTER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

